Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1946)

n L. • i 1 0/7/ international association of showmen meeting weekly in MOTION PICTURE HERALD for mutual aid and progress CHESTER FRIEDMAN. Editor QP Wear Your Whiskers Two years ago, when the war was critical and nearing its great climax, a frenzy of activity prevailed among theatre managers to bring some measure of comfort and cheer to hospitalized servicemen. Doubtless, this Christmas, thousands of those heroes, now recovered, will be remembering the kindness of the townspeople and the local theatre manager whose appeal for gifts and whose ingenuity made possible a telephone call to the home folks. We were thinking of the customary Christmas Eve drop in business and the hundreds of servicemen who are s'till in hospitals. Maybe, on that night, the opportunity to see a motion picture in the local theatre would be a welcome diversion to them. Maybe, a few score of citizens with private cars would welcome the chance to bring the boys over to the theatre and return them after the show; and, maybe, a few public-spirited merchants would supply the ingredients for a follow-up party on the stage or in the lounge. Then, if the theatre patrons contributed enough gifts to go around, the boys would have a happy remembrance and a happier Christmas. Everyone in town would undoubtedly like to help. It remains for the theatre manager to organize the job — something he is eminently qualified for. There are just about two weeks left before Christmas. AAA Trainees For comparative purposes, it should be interesting to note the result of the training courses which several circuits instituted during the past year for managerial aspirants. From Lou Hart, Schine group manager from Gloversville, N. Y., who visited us last week, we learn that the first group of post-war managers recently completed a training course with that circuit. Of eight managers who were graduated, three show exceptionally high promise, says Mr. Hart, and the others qualify satisfactorily. The Schine -trainees were selected from among hundreds of candidates who had no previous theatre experience. The circuit paid them a regular manager's salary during the entire course. From Jack Braunagel, who has already trained eight managers for Northio theatres, Cincinnati, we learn that all of th is group have been assigned. When the three trainees now undergoing the course graduate, the circuit manpower needs will be fully satisfied. Some of the Northio graduates have been most active in the Round Table lately. There is nothing to indicate that their exploitation is the work of novices. AAA St. Louis vs. Lewis Every time we have a national crisis it gives us special opportunity to observe the theatre manager's ingenuity at work. Overcoming the current dimout, Anthony Peluso, manager of the Fox theatre in St. Louis, has a mobile gasoline-powered generator floodlighting his theatre which is now the brightest spot in the city. The generator is mounted on a truck parked opposite the theatre. The floodlights also illuminate the traffic cop stationed at the corner. That is what gave Mr. Peluso his cue for obtaining permission from city officials for his "bright idea". AAA Come See Us Sometime Winter's first icy blast blew over our city this past week to remind us that many fortunate people will soon be following the birds to the warmer climes. Despite the fact that most theatre people take their vacations during the summer months, circumstances frequently delay the manager's intermission from his work schedule. From experience we know that many of them will be using the pre-Christmas period to make up for the summer exigency; and, being the great attraction that it is, New York will be their destination. We hope that when they do come here they will find an hour to come in and give us the opportunity to get acquainted or to renew the old acquaintanceship. The welcome mat is out the year 'round for showmen the world 'round. — CHESTER FRIEDMAN MOTION PICTURE HERALD, DECEMBER 7, 1946 57